TD, Manu listed among notable NBA players who may be ready to retire soon

It’s a day that Spurs Nation will be bracing for sooner rather than later.

Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili both have enjoyed remarkable careers for the Spurs. Duncan has developed into perhaps the greatest power forward in NBA history as he led the team to four NBA titles. Ginobili has emerged as one of the top international players in league history as a part of three championship teams.

Both players made the All-Star Game last season, but their contributions to the team are waning. They were both listed in the Bleacher Report’s list of 16 notable NBA players “who are going to be ready to hang them up.”

Contributor Faizan Qurashi includes both Ginobili and Parker among a list of aging NBA standouts.

“Similar to his long-time rival, Kevin Garnett, Duncan is way past his prime. Last season, he averaged an abysmal 13.4 points, to go with nine rebounds a game. Even though his Spurs finished with the best record in the Western Conference, Duncan was far from the main reason. Entering his 15th season, Duncan has just about accomplished everything you could want as an NBA player with four championships, three NBA Finals MVPs, two NBA MVPs and a plethora of All-Star and Defensive Team selections.

“Duncan simply can’t keep up with the young bigs in today’s game. His minutes have reduced significantly as well as his role. Still, the Spurs are Duncan’s team so when “The Big Fundamental” decides to hang ’em up, the Spurs will finally be able to rebuild and start over, as it’ll be the end of an era. Duncan will retire as the Spurs’ best player, one of the greatest of all time and arguably the greatest power forward to play the game.

“Manu Ginobili was the definition of a “steal.” After being drafted 57th back in the 1999 NBA draft, Ginobili has parlayed himself into three NBA titles, two All-Star appearances and a Sixth Man of the Year award. Now, at the age of 34, Ginobili isn’t exactly the oldest in the league but his playing style has done more damage to his body than most his age.

“With the Spurs dynasty coming to an abrupt end, and Tim Duncan inching close to retirement, it might be time for Ginobili to call it quits as well. His body simply can’t hold up with all the injuries he has collected from his reckless drives to the basket and his wild style of play. Ginobili could stick around for a season or two, but anything longer and he’s pushing it.

“Seasons Left To Retire: Two More at Best.”

I might argue with Qurashi’s choice of the terminolgoy “abrupt ending of the Spurs franchise” last season. Sure, they lost in the first round of the playoffs, but they did post the second-best record in the league last season.

Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford have done a good job of transitioning the team for the future with the arrival of young players like Tiago Splittler, Kawhi Leonard, Gary Neal, James Anderson and Cory Joseph.

The Spurs can’t count on having Ginobili and Duncan for much longer, but the team’s future doesn’t look quite as bleak as Qurashi might lead you to believe.